For Immediate Release United States Public Opinion Poll
Page 1 of 5
IMMIGRATION
Americans remain divided on status of illegal immigrants
Most people think they should be deported, but many would grant them a chance to stay.
[NEW YORK – May 12, 2008] – There is no definitive answer when it comes to dealing with the millions of illegal immigrants living and working in the United States. A new poll by Angus Reid Strategies has found that many Americans think they should leave the country immediately, while others support different options. In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,000 American adults, 41 per cent of respondents think illegal immigrants currently working in the U.S. should be required to quit their job and be immediately deported back to their country of origin. Conversely, 31 per cent of respondents say those working in the U.S. illegally should be allowed to stay and eventually apply to become citizens. Just under a fifth of respondents (18%) think these illegal immigrants should be granted a permit to work temporarily in the country but not allowed to seek citizenship.
KEY FINDINGS
41% of Americans think illegal immigrants should be required to leave their jobs and be deported from the US 31% say they should be allowed to stay in the country, and eventually apply for citizenship 18% say they should be allowed to work in the U.S. on a temporary basis, but not allowed to become citizens
Full topline results are at the end of this release.
From May 6 to May 8, 2009, Angus Reid Strategies conducted an online survey among 1,000 randomly selected American adults who are Springboard America panelists. The margin of error— which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of the United States. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.
Respondents in the Midwest are much more likely than others to think that illegal immigrants working in the country should be immediately deported (48% compared to 37% or less in other regions). Conversely, younger Americans (under the age of 35) are the least likely to agree with this view (27% compared to 45% or more in older age brackets). Democrats (41%) are much more inclined than Independents (26%) and Republicans (23%) to say that illegal aliens should be granted a chance to stay in the U.S. and eventually apply for citizenship.
CONTACT: Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, 604-647-3570, mario.canseco@angus-reid.com
For Immediate Release United States Public Opinion Poll
Page 2 of 5
Immigration
Now, thinking about immigration. Which of these statements comes closer to your own point of view on the status of illegal immigrants who are currently working in the United States?
Region Total They should be allowed to stay in the U.S., and eventually apply for citizenship Northeast Midwest South West
31%
33%
26%
30%
35%
They should be allowed to work in the U.S. on a temporary basis, but they should not become citizens
18%
20%
14%
20%
18%
They should be required to leave their jobs and be deported from the U.S.
41%
35%
48%
41%
37%
Not sure
10%
12%
12%
8%
10%
CONTACT: Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, 604-647-3570, mario.canseco@angus-reid.com
For Immediate Release United States Public Opinion Poll
Page 3 of 5
Immigration
Now, thinking about immigration. Which of these statements comes closer to your own point of view on the status of illegal immigrants who are currently working in the United States?
Gender Male They should be allowed to stay in the U.S., and eventually apply for citizenship Female 18-34
Age 35-54 55+
33%
29%
41%
28%
25%
They should be allowed to work in the U.S. on a temporary basis, but they should not become citizens
18%
18%
23%
16%
17%
They should be required to leave their jobs and be deported from the U.S.
41%
40%
27%
45%
48%
Not sure
8%
12%
9%
11%
10%
CONTACT: Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, 604-647-3570, mario.canseco@angus-reid.com
For Immediate Release United States Public Opinion Poll
Page 4 of 5
Immigration
Now, thinking about immigration. Which of these statements comes closer to your own point of view on the status of illegal immigrants who are currently working in the United States?
Party ID Democratic They should be allowed to stay in the U.S., and eventually apply for citizenship Republican Independent
41%
23%
26%
They should be allowed to work in the U.S. on a temporary basis, but they should not become citizens
19%
17%
20%
They should be required to leave their jobs and be deported from the U.S.
28%
51%
47%
Not sure
13%
9%
7%
CONTACT: Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, 604-647-3570, mario.canseco@angus-reid.com
For Immediate Release United States Public Opinion Poll
Page 5 of 5
Angus Reid Strategies is a full-service polling and market research firm which is a leader in the use of the Internet and rich media technology to collect high-quality, in-depth insights for a wide array of clients. Dr. Angus Reid and the Angus Reid Strategies team are pioneers in online research methodologies, and have been conducting online surveys since 1995.
Angus Reid Strategies, along with its sister company, Vision Critical, is now the largest Canadianowned market research enterprise. In addition to its five offices in Canada—located in Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Toronto, and Montreal—the firm also has offices in San Francisco, Chicago, New York, London, Paris and Sydney. Its team of specialists provides solutions across every type and sector of research, and currently serves over 200 international clients.
Angus Reid Strategies polls are conducted using the Angus Reid Forum (www.angusreidforum.com) and Sprinbgboard America (www.springboardamerica.com) online panels, which are recruited via an industry-leading process that incorporates a randomized, widespread invitation approach and a triple opt-in screening procedure. The panels are maintained through state-of-the-art sampling techniques and frequent verifications of personal identity, contact information, and demographic characteristics. These premier online survey platforms present respondents with highly visual, interactive, and engaging surveys, ensuring that panel members provide thoughtful and reliable responses.
Angus Reid Strategies, the only public opinion firm to exclusively use online methods to follow the views of the electorate during the 2008 federal campaign, offered the most accurate prediction of the results of Canada's 40th election. http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=news&newsid=349
Since 2006, Angus Reid Strategies has covered six provincial elections in Canada—more than any other pollster in the country—and the results have accurately predicted the outcome of each of these democratic processes. http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=news&newsid=194
More information on the way Angus Reid Strategies conducts public opinion research can be found at http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/uploads/pages/pdfs/ARS.ARF.WP.pdf
- 30 For more information, please contact our spokesperson listed in the footnote. Copies of this poll are available on our website: www.angusreidstrategies.com
CONTACT: Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, 604-647-3570, mario.canseco@angus-reid.com